News – Port Dover Maple Leafhttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com
The Port Dover Maple Leaf is a community newspaper and online resource that has been serving Port Dover and area for over 100 years.
Thu, 21 Mar 2019 15:31:02 +0000 en-US
hourly
1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1.1142200512Fishing tugs start 2019 seasonhttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/fishing-tugs-start-2019-season/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/fishing-tugs-start-2019-season/#respondThu, 21 Mar 2019 15:30:19 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=24044PORT Dover’s fleet of commercial fishing tugs has begun its 2019 operations. Despite some ice still along the shoreline, at least five tugs were smelt fishing on Monday including BB Miller, Donna F, Omsteader, Brian D, R&G. The Lake Erie Committee is not expected to determine the 2019 quotas until April 15, as set by […]

]]>PORT Dover’s fleet of commercial fishing tugs has begun its 2019 operations. Despite some ice still along the shoreline, at least five tugs were smelt fishing on Monday including BB Miller, Donna F, Omsteader, Brian D, R&G.
The Lake Erie Committee is not expected to determine the 2019 quotas until April 15, as set by fishery managers from Ontario, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Later the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources announces the commercial catch quotas.
There seems to be an optimistic feeling among fishermen that quotas will be close to last year’s level, as both perch and especially pickerel currently have strong population numbers.
A year ago quotas were 10.490 million pounds for Yellow Perch, walleyes were up to 7.109 million fish. It is said the allocations are consistent with the status of Lake Erie’s fish population, taking into account the goal of sustainable fisheries. Depending on final quotas, tugs can fish 20 to 30 totes of smelt per day, each tote can weigh 600 pounds.

Above: “BB Miller” returns to port Monday afternoon after its first day of fishing this year. The fishing tug returned with five totes of smelt. Each tote weighs at least 500 lbs. Below: BB Miller captain Rudy Vancas, at left, and Don Berg were one of this year’s first tugs to start the fishing season. Photos by Earl Hartlen.

George Gibbons of Pleasant Port Fish Company in the Inner Harbour Basin reported last week that he would be ready to begin the 2019 harvest as soon as the ice situation is clear in the lake.
He is expecting this year’s perch quota will be about the same as last year. However, an increase in the pickerel quota is expected because “there is way too many out there” adding “they are all of the same size.”
Currently there are a few pickerel in the freezer at his plant from the 2018 catch. Mr. Gibbons is working on his tug ‘Eau Clipper’ in preparation for the beginning of a busy commercial fishing season.

Eric Ryerse reported it was early to begin operations for 2019 as there is still ice in the lake at the time of our enquiry late last week, but suggested with the right wind and rain “all of that could change quickly.”
In the meantime, the two Ryerse boats — ‘Iron Fish’ and ‘T James T’ — have undergone some maintenance work. He commented some boats based at Wheatley were out last week with reportedly small catches after a five-hour trip to suitable water.
A year ago Eric Ryerse began fishing on April 7. Although the 2019 quota is not yet released, initial spring fishing can legally begin based on a portion of what each fishing licence quota will be. The Ryerse tugs’ catch goes to Prestige Foods in Wheatley
Captain Joe Zimba of the tug Donna F told The Maple Leaf on Monday that he began fishing for smelt this week marking his 39th season. He had tried to begin fishing earlier in the season, but could not because of the ice conditions.
Recalling the 2018 fishing season, Mr. Zimba stated “smelt was alright, pretty decent until mid-October.” He noted then the winds changed and created too much current for smelt fishing. His crew consists of his son Kody and Joel Woard.

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/fishing-tugs-start-2019-season/feed/024044Execulink installing underground fibre lines across Port Dover; opens new retail storehttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/execulink-installing-underground-fibre-lines-across-port-dover-opens-new-retail-store/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/execulink-installing-underground-fibre-lines-across-port-dover-opens-new-retail-store/#respondFri, 15 Mar 2019 16:36:25 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=24032 By Jessica Tulpin EXECULINK Telecom held the grand opening of its new store at 697 Highway #6 in Port Dover last Wednesday. The new store is open six days a week to provide service to Execulink customers and discuss the new fibre services the company is installing throughout Port Dover. “We are delighted to […]

EXECULINK Telecom held the grand opening of its new store at 697 Highway #6 in Port Dover last Wednesday. The new store is open six days a week to provide service to Execulink customers and discuss the new fibre services the company is installing throughout Port Dover.“We are delighted to celebrate the opening of our new Port Dover store. Our mission is to provide you with the awesome experience you deserve. We are very excited to join the business community in Port Dover and to be bringing fibre internet services to town. Our Port Dover store will allow us to stay closely involved in the community and be locally available when you need us,” said Ian Stevens, CEO, at the Open House.
Mayor Kristal Chopp was on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony and addressed the large gathering.

Norfolk Mayor Kristal Chopp and Execulink CEO Ian Stevens cut the ribbon to officially open the new Port Dover store on Highway 6 last Wednesday.

“I am excited for Execulink to be a part of our community bringing fibre internet to our residents. Our community members have been asking for faster internet speeds and we are glad that Execulink can deliver the fibre infrastructure to the Port Dover community. Welcome to town, Execulink!” she said.

Cake and treats were served in celebration and representatives were available to answer questions about their services which include, internet, television, home phone and mobility.
Construction began on the west side of town in June of 2018 and a map was on display at the event to show which areas have already been connected to the fibre service. Construction is currently underway on the east side and the goal is to have the underground conduits installed on all streets by the end of summer. Installation of the new service to homes has already begun.
Fibre internet delivers data through an optical fibre, which is flexible, transparent and made of glass or plastic, not much thicker than a human hair. Fibre is the modern upgrade over copper wiring that was used to connect homes and buildings in the past. The fibre lines are being installed underground to be weather-proof and fibre is capable of much higher data transfer speeds.
Execulink has been in business since 1904 with a reputation for forward thinking and being community-minded. The company’s “Twelve Gifts of Christmas” campaign donated to twelve different community organizations including Port Dover Board of Trade. In addition, the company recently sponsored Norfolk County Public Library Port Dover branch’s purchase of a Children’s Touchscreen AfterSchool Edge Computer as well as seven Maker Kits.
“Investing in our towns and communities is a fundamental part of our Vision, Mission and Values, which is why it is equally important for us to play an active role within the community,” said CEO Stevens.

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/execulink-installing-underground-fibre-lines-across-port-dover-opens-new-retail-store/feed/024032Misner Dam ‘task force’ to “create a road map”https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/misner-dam-task-force-to-create-a-road-map/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/misner-dam-task-force-to-create-a-road-map/#respondFri, 01 Mar 2019 21:03:14 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=24003 By David Judd A task force will chart the future of Silver Lake and Misner Dam. Six community members and two county councillors will “engage with stakeholders” to revitalize the lake and repair the dam. County councillors last night were expected to confirm the group’s creation, which was tentatively approved at a county […]

Six community members and two county councillors will “engage with stakeholders” to revitalize the lake and repair the dam.
County councillors last night were expected to confirm the group’s creation, which was tentatively approved at a county committee meeting last Tuesday.
Citizen members will include two members from the Port Dover Lions Club, two members of the Waterfront Preservation Association, one representative of the local fishing industry and one member of the Port Dover Yacht Club.
Port Dover Coun. Amy Martin and Charlotteville Coun. Chris Van Paassen will represent county council.
The group is officially directed to “create a road map and the timeline” to repair Misner Dam and revitalize Silver Lake.
Close to 50 Port Dover residents watched from the gallery last Tuesday as councillors discussed the next chapter of Norfolk’s 10-year involvement with the dam and lake.
Many left the meeting disappointed that council did not move directly to repair the dam, a project estimated at more than $2 million.
But there’s no point repairing the dam if Silver Lake cannot be dredged and redeveloped into a beauty spot, Mayor Kristal Chopp repeatedly said.
“If we repair the dam and there are no approvals (from the provincial government to dredge Silver Lake), what did we just spend $2 million on,” Mayor Chopp asked last Tuesday’s meeting.
In an interview, Mayor Chopp said the task force’s first job will be to sound out the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Natural Resources for approvals to dredge Silver Lake.
Second, the group will get estimates of the cost of dredging and figure out if it’s realistic to think fundraising could pay the bill.
The third job will be to look at alternatives to the $2-million repair plan developed under the former council led by Mayor Charlie Luke.

For more on Misner Dam, see the February 26th issue of Port Dover Maple Leaf

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/misner-dam-task-force-to-create-a-road-map/feed/024003Winter storm causes flooding and damagehttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/winter-storm-causes-flooding-and-damage/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/winter-storm-causes-flooding-and-damage/#respondFri, 01 Mar 2019 20:58:07 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=23998 A severe winter storm whipped through the Port Dover area all day Sunday leaving a trail of flooding, fallen trees and limbs, damaged traffic lights and commercial signs and water rescues. Winds at Long Point registered 100 km/hour from the south-west and higher in gusts. Left: Hours of rainfall and high winds from the […]

A severe winter storm whipped through the Port Dover area all day Sunday leaving a trail of flooding, fallen trees and limbs, damaged traffic lights and commercial signs and water rescues.
Winds at Long Point registered 100 km/hour from the south-west and higher in gusts.

Left: Hours of rainfall and high winds from the south-west forced waves and water to flood the pier, Harbour Street, Walker Street and areas along the Lynn River and Black Creek. Late Sunday afternoon, firefighters rescued Sandy Brown from her home on River Drive after water with large chunks of ice trapped her inside her home. Photo by Earl Hartlen

“We’ve been here 17 years and never had flooding like this before,” Sandy Brown told The Maple Leaf on Monday about her home on River Drive which fronts onto the river.
“I watched the water steadily rising early in the afternoon,” she commented. Water flooded over her concrete driveway, which it had never done before, flooded the docks, boat well and garage. The water level continued to rise with large chucks of ice up to the fourth step at her home.
“I got concerned because it had never got like that before, so I called OPP,” at about 4:30 Sunday afternoon said Mrs. Brown.
The OPP alerted Port Dover Fire Station. Mrs. Brown estimated seven or eight firefighters came to take her in their inflatable raft to the safety of higher ground. She stated, “it happened so fast!” Mrs. Brown had dinner at the Erie Beach Hotel and stayed there overnight while the water subsided.

The large exterior sign at Willie’s on St. George Street was broken by the strength of the wind in the early afternoon.
Four Knechtel family businesses in the beach area were closed Sunday afternoon about 3:30 because of high water on Walker Street and lower St. George Street; the Beach House restaurant, Knechtel Foods, Surf Shop and the Grand Trunk Station closed early.
Diane Natte told how her family rushed to the former bowling alley building used for storage by the Knechtel family in the off-season to save merchandise from water damage.
“It did not take us long to pick things up,” she stated, “because we have done it so many times.” Diane reported that the flooding water included many chucks of ice.
Peter Knechtel had concerns the flooding water was carrying large chunks of ice under the patio of the Beach House Restaurant which could inflict serious damage. “The good news is,” he confirmed “there was a shift in the wind direction later in the afternoon which carried the water out onto the beach.”
In fact, Peter noted with a smile in his voice how the trunks of the restaurant’s famous imported palm trees acted as a barrier during Sunday’s flooding. He noted that Sunday’s storm “could have been a lot worse!”
Walker Street became so seriously flooded it extended all the way easterly to Tim Hortons, causing the restaurant to temporarily close.
A traffic light at the Main and Chapman Street intersection as well as the Main and Walker St. corner were blown off their supports.
Pete Tiller of Tiller Marine on River Drive reported no damage to his property. “We knew it was coming and got all the good stuff up off the floor.” He noted a little water did get into the building.
A tree along a wooded area of Prospect Street fell across the road and was caught by the power line although it did not cause any power outages.
There are reports of many tree branches creating a mess on lawns in every corner of town.
The winds continued into Monday morning with snow flurries making visibility and road safety a concern and all schools in Norfolk County were closed for an unprecedented seventh day so far in 2019.

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/winter-storm-causes-flooding-and-damage/feed/023998Hundreds of local residents enjoyed annual hunting seasonhttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/hundreds-of-local-residents-enjoyed-annual-hunting-season/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/hundreds-of-local-residents-enjoyed-annual-hunting-season/#respondFri, 22 Feb 2019 15:39:31 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=23987 By Jessica Tulpin THE Ontario government recently made hunting more affordable for residents by introducing a licence fee freeze, announced on January 10th. The move will see that hunting licence fees are not increased this year in addition to the removal of the $2 service charge. As well, two new licence-free fishing days have […]

THE Ontario government recently made hunting more affordable for residents by introducing a licence fee freeze, announced on January 10th. The move will see that hunting licence fees are not increased this year in addition to the removal of the $2 service charge. As well, two new licence-free fishing days have been added on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
This is welcomed by hundreds of local hunters who delight in the great outdoors with family and friends while harvesting nature’s bounty.
Fred Pankhurst’s family has been hunting for generations. The lifelong Port Dover resident taught his sons, Matthew and Adam to hunt at a young age. The family relishes their time together outdoors hunting for deer, geese, ducks and rabbits locally and moose and, up north, bear.
Mr. Pankhurst says his family typically goes out for whatever game is in season to fill their freezers with the meat they are able to harvest. He said the 2018 season wasn’t very successful but he notes that every season is different and each presents its own unique challenges.
Weather plays a major role in determining if birds will be flying or deer will be running in the areas in which his family hunts.
He says he loves hunting because he enjoys the company of his sons and other fellow hunters. He and his family eat the meat from the animals they harvest.
“I just like to get out into the outdoors.” He says that although hunting can be a lot of fun, he takes safety very seriously.
“If you go out, be sure you learn the safety aspects of hunting. Safety is the biggest thing for me,” he said.
A local, long-time waterfowler is Wayne King who enjoyed a few trips out in a boat looking for geese and ducks with a professional guide. In his younger years he had all the necessary equipment to head out on his own but has since downsized. He hasn’t lost his passion for nature and enjoys going out to watch the birds fly with the aid of a guide. This past season he was able to harvest a couple mallard ducks and a few Canada geese which he had made into mild Italian sausage by a local meat packer.
“It’s the experience of it. I get just as much joy just watching them fly. They are marvellous flyers,” he said of geese and ducks. He recalls a time when he was out hunting the wetlands of Holland Marsh when two black ducks flew under a rainbow in the sky and the sun reflected under their wings creating a flash of beautiful silver light. His memory of that scene is as vivid today as when it happened decades ago.
“I have a lot of fond memories of hunting and calling,” he said mentioning that he and his children won titles in goose and duck calling championships years ago. His son would often go hunting for waterfowl with him.
“It’s the camaraderie of being with other hunters. The fond memories I have will last forever.”
The family tradition of hunting is a strong one for 20 year-old Sawyer Thompson. He says he has been hunting with his family since he was strong enough to hold a gun. He went out as often as he could this past goose season and was able to harvest a few birds.
The 2018 season overall was lacklustre due to the mild weather in the region and the absence of a real cold snap. He also pointed out that the explosion of the local coyote population in recent years has made hunting more difficult as deer and small game have fallen prey to or are hiding.
The ambitious young hunter hunts for anything that’s in season, allowing him to fill his freezer with meat. When asked what motivates him to hunt he replied, “food — it helps with the grocery bill. It’s also a major stress reliever,” he said, adding that getting out into the fresh air can be relaxing.
“It’s a family tradition, we’ve been hunting for generations. I think everyone should get their hunting licence. You gain a lot more respect for nature and for animals when you hunt. There’s nothing better than harvesting your own food,” he said proudly.
For more information on upcoming hunting season dates and regulations visit ontario.ca/hunting

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/hundreds-of-local-residents-enjoyed-annual-hunting-season/feed/023987Recycle your unwanted eyeglasses!https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/recycle-your-unwanted-eyeglasses/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/recycle-your-unwanted-eyeglasses/#respondFri, 22 Feb 2019 15:16:23 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=23980BY STAN MORRIS LIONS Clubs around the world help people who are visually impaired. Lions International is a world leader in assisting people in developing countries with eye testing and provides used eyeglasses to many thousands of people annually. Lions Past District Governor Jim Lomas of Port Dover has taken a leading role to help […]

LIONS Clubs around the world help people who are visually impaired. Lions International is a world leader in assisting people in developing countries with eye testing and provides used eyeglasses to many thousands of people annually.
Lions Past District Governor Jim Lomas of Port Dover has taken a leading role to help raise awareness in the community of the need for used eyeglasses to assist the visually impaired worldwide.
Jim says that Lions Clubs around the world are known for their service to the blind. What became this world-wide effort can be traced back to one American woman. Her name was Helen Keller and she became blind and deaf from a childhood disease. At 45 years of age, she addressed the Lions Convention in 1925 when the Lions International President was Harry Newman of Dunnville, Ontario. (He was the first Canadian president and from our own area.)

Above: Lions Past District Governor Jim Lomas, left, and Port Dover Lion Mike Marini are shown with some of the used eyeglasses donated at Dover Apothecary for distribution to people around the world.

Helen Keller’s eloquent plea for support of blind people challenged the Lions to become, “knights of the blind in a crusade against darkness” and Lions have done that for almost a century.
Port Dover Lions have taken on a bigger role in this cause than at any time in the club’s 80 years of community service.
Local Lions are asking residents to go through their drawers and donate any unwanted eyeglasses. They can be dropped off at Dover Apothecary on Main Street where Lion Mike Marini will collect them or at Lions Silver Lake Market on Saturdays.
Port Dover Lions are also providing a Guide Dog for a blind person. Everyone knows and respects the ability of Guide Dogs trained to assist blind people in their everyday life. In December 2018, Port Dover Lions members approved a donation of $25,000 for training a Guide Dog at the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs in Oakville, Ont. It takes nearly two years to raise, train and partner a Guide Dog.
Port Dover Lions are also participating in the Lions A2 District KidSight Program. As part of this nationwide program, members will be trained and certified to use a special camera system that can test and reveal vision problems in young school age children.

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/recycle-your-unwanted-eyeglasses/feed/023980Roulston’s to build Port Dover Health Centrehttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/roulstons-to-build-port-dover-health-centre/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/roulstons-to-build-port-dover-health-centre/#commentsTue, 12 Feb 2019 23:00:46 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=23957 Construction of the expansion to current Roulston’s location expected to begin April 9th. THE owners of Roulston’s Pharmacy announced on Monday that Port Dover is going to be home to a new medical centre. Construction is planned to begin on April 9th and be completed by October. Blair Snow, Mark Stephens, and Steve Flexman […]

Construction of the expansion to current Roulston’s location expected to begin April 9th.

THE owners of Roulston’s Pharmacy announced on Monday that Port Dover is going to be home to a new medical centre. Construction is planned to begin on April 9th and be completed by October.
Blair Snow, Mark Stephens, and Steve Flexman are the owners of the professional pharmacy group with four stores in Norfolk County. They have received approvals for the renovation and expansion of their current location in Port Dover.

Above: Artist’s sketch of the new Port Dover Health Centre to be developed by Roulston’s Pharmacy at its Main Street property.

The new Roulston’s Health Centre will be developed on property already occupied by the pharmacy group, at 414 Main Street.
Plans call for a 4400 square foot addition to the current 5200 square foot building — almost doubling the size of the present building that houses Roulston’s Pharmacy and the office of Dr. Harold Hynscht.
The expansion will provide space for up to six physicians, and other health care services.

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/roulstons-to-build-port-dover-health-centre/feed/123957Norfolk Council has hit the reset button on the community hubhttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/norfolk-council-has-hit-the-reset-button-on-the-community-hub/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/norfolk-council-has-hit-the-reset-button-on-the-community-hub/#respondFri, 08 Feb 2019 14:00:17 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=23944By David Judd COUNTY council has hit the reset button on the Norplex community hub. The new council led by Mayor Kristal Chopp has breathed new life into exploring a proposal to build a recreational hub with indoor swimming pool, seniors centre, ice rink and other facilities, all in one location, with a price tag […]

COUNTY council has hit the reset button on the Norplex community hub.
The new council led by Mayor Kristal Chopp has breathed new life into exploring a proposal to build a recreational hub with indoor swimming pool, seniors centre, ice rink and other facilities, all in one location, with a price tag roughly estimated at $40 million to $50 million.
Paul Anderson, an engineer from Walsingham, will chair a board of 10 citizens and councillors, tasked with designing the project, acquiring a site and seeking federal and provincial grants to pay two-thirds of the cost.
Council approved the board’s expanded mandate last Wednesday.
The previous council led by former Mayor Charlie Luke created the Recreation Facilities Advisory Board last year.
It was composed of five citizen volunteers and two councillors to help council look into new recreational facilities, which could be individual projects, not necessarily a hub.
The board met only once at an introductory session in October.
Things changed last Wednesday.

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/norfolk-council-has-hit-the-reset-button-on-the-community-hub/feed/023944Sailors end regular season with 8 to 1 winhttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/sailors-end-regular-season-with-8-to-1-win/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/sailors-end-regular-season-with-8-to-1-win/#respondThu, 07 Feb 2019 16:28:03 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=23940 By Jan Dean IT was a high-scoring donnybrook for the final game of the regular season last Sunday for the Port Dover Sailors. They beat the Hespeler Shamrocks with an 8 to 1 score. Winning wasn’t going to change the standings of either team — the Junior C Sailors sit firmly in sixth […]

IT was a high-scoring donnybrook for the final game of the regular season last Sunday for the Port Dover Sailors.

They beat the Hespeler Shamrocks with an 8 to 1 score.
Winning wasn’t going to change the standings of either team — the Junior C Sailors sit firmly in sixth place in the Bloomfield division of the PJHL and the Hespeler Shamrocks hold eight place.
But the game did matter for the way it could set up the teams for the first round of the playoffs that begin Tuesday night in Hagersville for the Sailors who will take on the Hagersville Hawks.
The Sailors have had an up and down season and have had trouble putting the puck in the net.
Clearly that wasn’t a problem for them on Sunday afternoon.

Scoring began in the first few minutes of the first period with Sailors Nigel Dantas scoring, assisted by Jordan Land.
The Shamrocks answered that goal with a power play goal from Shamrock Dylan Beitz about four minutes later — the only goal the Shamrocks would get in the game.
The goals came thick and fast for the Sailors. Hometown hero Isaac MacAulay picked up two goals and an assist — his first goal came in the first period, assisted by Tyler Heisey and Sam Restivo. Then it was Ashton Mikasko’s turn to score, assisted by George Kapralos.
Sailor Peyton Adam-Matthews scored the only goal in the second period with an assist from Jordan Land.
In the third period came four goals. George Kapralos scored two, the first short-handed with the help of Isaac MacAulay and Peyton Adam-Matthews, the second assisted by Lynden Lemoire and Matt Scanlin.
Peyton Adam-Matthews scored next, his second of the game for the Sailors, assisted by Jordan Land and Sam Restivo.
As the game progressed, it grew increasingly rough. With barely three minutes to go in the final period, Adam-Matthews was hit from behind and had to leave the ice.
During the resulting power play, Sailor Isaac MacAulay scored for the second time, assisted by Connor Hisaw.
It was a rough game. The Shamrocks took a dozen penalties for 26 minutes in the sin bin, plus two game misconducts in the third period. The Sailors had 13 infractions for 34 minutes in the penalty box.
Sailors goalie AJ Scala blocked 41 of 42 shots from the Shamrocks for the win while Shamrocks goalie Connor Pickard got the loss with 38 of 46 shots stopped.
Head Coach Mike Tobin said the Sailors goal was to play a confidence-building game without losing players to injury or suspensions.
“We got eight goals and considering how tough it’s been to score this year, that’s going to build confidence,” said Tobin. “I’m hoping no major injuries.”
That’s especially important for the Sailors who start the first series of the playoffs on Tuesday, Feb. 5, playing a Hagersville Hawks team that’s been on fire for the last six weeks of the regular season.
It was a great game for Sailors forward #22 Isaac MacAulay, who said the second goal he scored was especially satisfying, coming less than a minute after Adam-Matthews left the ice due to a hit from behind.
“I grew up watching the Sailors play,” said the Port Dover native. “It feels really great to be on the hometown team and having my parents come to the games.”
At 18, this is Isaac’s second year as a Sailor and he hopes to continue playing on the team until he turns 21.
Isaac finished high school last spring but opted to take a year off before heading back to school this coming fall.
He worked for John Lennox, the team manager and owner, through the summer and until Christmas. Now he plans to pick up a part-time job and continue working at Shooters Edge where he teaches stick-handling.
“It’s a different kind of training and practice,” said Isaac. “There was nothing like it when I was growing up and it’s the kind of training that really interests me.”
Taking the year off meant having to re-apply to schools, but it also gave him greater perspective on what and where he wants to be.
“I’m going to go to Mohawk College for a program that leads to physiotherapy and helping people rehab,” said Isaac. “I also like the idea of maybe being a personal trainer.”
Moving to Hamilton for school will also allow him to continue playing for the Sailors.
But for now, it’s time to focus on the playoffs — specifically taking on the Hagersville Hawks.
The first game in the series is set for Tuesday night in Hagersville with the second game scheduled for Thursday night at the Port Dover Arena.
Check the Sailors’ website for upcoming game information.

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/sailors-end-regular-season-with-8-to-1-win/feed/023940Frozen water pipe floods Erie Beach Hotelhttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/frozen-water-pipe-floods-erie-beach-hotel/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/frozen-water-pipe-floods-erie-beach-hotel/#respondFri, 01 Feb 2019 13:41:29 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=23925 By Paul Morris ERIE Beach Hotel owners Pam and Andrew Schneider were woken by a phone call at 12:50 a.m. early last Monday morning. Pam recalled a few days later that a phone call in the middle of the night is never good news and in those seconds her mind raced through the possibilities […]

ERIE Beach Hotel owners Pam and Andrew Schneider were woken by a phone call at 12:50 a.m. early last Monday morning.
Pam recalled a few days later that a phone call in the middle of the night is never good news and in those seconds her mind raced through the possibilities of why the phone was ringing.
She heard Andrew say “ok, I’ll be right there.”
It was the night watchman at the hotel. The fire alarm had just gone off. As a public hotel with a full sprinkler system, the local firefighters would be notified of the alarm and on their way as well.
They’d had the occasional false alarm in the past and Andrew suggested Pam go back to bed and he’d be home as soon as the firefighters gave the all clear.

Above: Pam and Andrew Schneider talk with the restoration crew in the Front Lobby at Erie Beach Hotel last Wednesday morning. The lobby is being restored quickly and was open on the weekend with a full menu available in the Capri Room.

It was a bitterly cold night. As Andrew drove the few blocks to the hotel, he noted his car was showing -19C without the wind chill.
In those minutes as Andrew and firefighters rushed to the hotel, the night watchman discovered a stream of water flowing through the Terrace Room ceiling.
The fire alarm was still sounding as firefighters checked through the entire building as quickly as possible to be sure there was not a fire that would risk lives.
Then the water supply to the sprinkler system got turned off.
Water had flowed for about half an hour through the ceiling above the large side of The Terrace Room and the floor was shoe-deep in water and flooding the building.
At home, Pam had dozed back to sleep when the phone rang again. Andrew was brief. “Can you come down here? It’s not good. A pipe burst and there’s water everywhere.”
A right-angle fitting on a three-quarter inch water pipe for the fire sprinkler system had frozen and burst in the attic space above The Terrace Room. Water had flowed under full pressure for about half an hour.

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/frozen-water-pipe-floods-erie-beach-hotel/feed/023925Mayor Chopp’s choice – cut spendinghttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/mayor-chopps-choice-cut-spending/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/mayor-chopps-choice-cut-spending/#respondThu, 31 Jan 2019 19:20:59 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=23921 By David Judd CHANGE is coming to Norfolk County’s annual budget. Mayor Kristal Chopp kicked off council’s deliberations last Wednesday with a critique of the county’s financial situation, including ways to rein in spending and make county services more efficient. Previous councils have kept property tax levels low by using up reserve funds, she […]

CHANGE is coming to Norfolk County’s annual budget.
Mayor Kristal Chopp kicked off council’s deliberations last Wednesday with a critique of the county’s financial situation, including ways to rein in spending and make county services more efficient.
Previous councils have kept property tax levels low by using up reserve funds, she said.
But reserves have all but run out.
What to do next? Raise taxes or cut spending?
For Mayor Chopp, the choice is cut spending.
“Want a tax increase? Try selling it to me next year,” she told county councillors and staff.
Reining in spending will be a tall order.

]]>https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/mayor-chopps-choice-cut-spending/feed/023921Gary Spragg returns this week as Port Dover firefighterhttps://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/gary-spragg-returns-this-week-as-port-dover-firefighter/
https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/gary-spragg-returns-this-week-as-port-dover-firefighter/#respondThu, 24 Jan 2019 17:59:57 +0000https://www.portdovermapleleaf.com/?p=23903By David Judd GARY Spragg will be back this week as a Port Dover firefighter. He will be a captain with the Norfolk County Fire Department’s Station 2 in Port Dover. Mr. Spragg was district fire chief for 22 years before he was abruptly fired in September. His return as captain “by mutual agreement” with […]

GARY Spragg will be back this week as a Port Dover firefighter.
He will be a captain with the Norfolk County Fire Department’s Station 2 in Port Dover.
Mr. Spragg was district fire chief for 22 years before he was abruptly fired in September.
His return as captain “by mutual agreement” with Norfolk County takes effect on Thursday.
“I’m very happy,” Mr. Spragg said in an interview on the weekend.
“I am happy to return and to give the community the best I can do.”

Above: Gary Spragg will be back this week as a Port Dover firefighter. Mayor Kristal Chopp announced the return.

Mayor Kristal Chopp announced Mr. Spragg’s return in an open letter to the community.
In her letter, Mayor Chopp offered “sincerest apologies to Mr. Spragg and his family for the handling of this matter.”
The mayor praised Mr. Spragg for his nearly 44 years’ service as a volunteer firefighter, half of them as Port Dover chief.
The mayor said Mr. Spragg is looking forward to working with Bill Howden, who will continue as district chief.
Mr. Spragg told The Maple Leaf the agreement to return as a firefighter “went through my lawyer.”
“There’s a new council and it seems to be working really well,” he said.
“I’m happy and we have great firefighters. They can’t wait to get me back. My faith in justice has been brought back.”
Mayor Chopp’s letter offered no details on what happened behind the scenes.
Normally, county officials do not comment on individual employment matters.
County CAO David Cribbs, who fired Mr. Spragg during a meeting on Sept. 4 and accidentally e-mailed details of the firing to all county employees, resigned his position last Tuesday following a closed-door session of county council.
Mr. Spragg is a former Port Dover Citizen of the Year.
His firing was an issue in October’s municipal election.
Residents signed petitions and questioned candidates about re-appointing Mr. Spragg.
On the weekend, Mr. Spragg thanked the community of Port Dover and area, Port Dover firefighters and district chiefs for their support.
Mr. Spragg will be 70 on Oct. 26. He declared himself in good physical shape.
“I don’t know how many years I have left but I can end them the way I want to end them,” he said.